William wagner



(No ModeLj 2 SheetsShaet 1. W. WAGNER. CARTRIDGE GRI-MPER.

No. 549,553. Patented Nov. 12,1895.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. WAGNER. CARTRIDGE GRIMPER.

Patented Nov. 12, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEICE.

\VILLIAM \VAGNER, OF IVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CARTRIDGE-CRIMPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 549,553, dated.November 12, 1895.

Application filed September 13, 1895 Serial No. 562,389- NO mof e -l T0aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM \VAGNER, of the city of \Vashington,District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Oartridge-Crimpers; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention, while relating chiefly to improvements incartridge-crimping heads, also involves improvements in the actuatingmechanism of cartridge-crimpers.

In the operation of devices of a class to which my improvements incrimping-heads are applicable the ends of shells to be crimped areinserted into tubular portions or receivers of the crimping-heads,whichare provided with suitable inside projections for turninginward the endsof the shells, and with spring-actuated followers, between which and thereceivers the ends of the shells are supported with the followersyieldingly bearing against the top or shot wads in the shells duringcrimping, so as to insure the seating of the wads upon the shot.

Objects which I have most particularly in. view are to increase thedurability of crimping-heads, to adapt them to produce perfect crimps,and to prevent bulging, buckling, or other distortion of the shellscrimped.

To produce perfect crinips and avoiddistorting the shells, the end ofeach shell operated upon should snugly fit within the receiver aroundthe follower of the crimping-head or substantiallycorrespond indiameterwith the internal diameter of the receiver not only at the planeof a line drawn transversely through the receiver and touching or closeto the advance surfaces of the Crimping projections, but also forward ofthis plane, or toward the outer end of the receiver, fora distance atleast equal to the length of the crimp.

A serious defect in heretofore-employed crimping-heads, in each of whichthe shellengaging portion of the receiver is designed to be ofsubstantially-unvarying length throughout use, is that when much usedthey become unreliable or useless by the wearing away and enlargement ininternal diameter of the receivers, resulting from frictional contactwith the shells, and the wearing away of the crimping projections byexcessive frictional'contact with the shells unfits the crimpers for useunless provision is made for the renewal of such projections. Even when,as in an old form of crimping-head, in which detachable pins constitutethe crimping projections, provision is made for substituting one set ofpins for another, the defect arising from the repeated wear upon thesame surface of the receiverthe shell-engaging portion thereof ofpractically unvarying 1engthstill exists. other defect in crimping-headsprovided with spring -actuated followers as usually constructed is thattheir action on the shells may be prolonged injuriously by continuingtheir rotation after the shells have been sufficiently turned in attheir ends to properly crimp them, with the result that as the followerscontinue to yield the turned-in ends of the shells are spread out orforced toward the centers of the wads, producing unsightly crimps,bulging the wads, and sometimes distorting the shells so badly as tounfit them for use.

Now, in accordance with my improvements, I provide a crimping-head soconstructed that the crimping projections may readily be reshaped orrenewed and kept in proper working condition, and so that as wear andreshaping of these projections increase their distance from the end ofthe receiver into which the shells project new or additional portions ofthe receiver are brought into use to snugly embrace and properly supportthe shells in crimping, while extending the surface subjected to wear byfrictional contact with the shells. I also provide for limiting theyielding movement of the follower to prevent excessive and injuriouscrimping action, and, further,-I provide for the reversing of parts toadapt them to act at either end, in order that when objectionable wearoccurs at one end the other end may be brought into use. These and otherfeatures of my improvements will hereinafter fully be explained and thesubject-matter deemed novel specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which show a crimping-head with myimprovements and improved mechanism suitable for actuating it, Figure 1is a view in side elevation show-. ing the crimping-head with theactuating mechanism; Fig. 2, aview in front elevation ing-head, thedetachable section thereof formed with end crimping projections, and thefollower of the crimping-head, these views being on a scale somewhatlarger than Fig. 3.

A sectional crimping-head which is capable of bein used in connectionwith a suitable lathe, in the chuck of which it may be secured, or withany appropriate actuating mechanism operated manually or by power isshown constructed as follows: A cartridgereceiver or outer tubularsection A of cylindrical form has its bore flared or tapered at its endsto facilitate the entrance into it of the ends of cartridge-shells theexternal diameters of which correspond substantially with the internaldiameter of the receiver for nearly its entire length or between itsflaring ends. A hole a is made through the receiver midway its length. Atubular inner section B of the crimping-head is formed to nicely fitwithin the outer section or receiver and has a hole b through it midwayits length to register with the hole in the receiver, so that areadily-removable pin C may serve to detachably connect the twosections. The section B is provided with crimping projections B of anysuitable number at its opposite ends, formed in one piece or integraltherewith by suitably scalloping it. The projections are properlytapered or rounded off at their extremities and are made of properlength by the formation of the notches b between them to mostefiiciently perform their function. By filing or cutting away at thenotches b and otherwise properly reshaping the projections when worn byuse the section B of the crimping-head may successfully be employeduntil entirely used up, as farther on will more plainly be madeapparent.

A spring-actuated follower D of the crimping-head of a diametersubstantially corresponding with the internal diameter of the end of ashell when doubled or crimped is shown as closed or solid at its outerend and tubular for the remainder of its length. It hasdiametricallyopposite elongated slots (Z in its sides, through whichpasses the pin 0 for detachably connecting the follower with the outerand inner crimping-head sections A and B. The spring 1) within thefollower and bearing at its opposite ends against the follower-head andthe connecting-pin G exerts a yielding pressure upon the follower toadvance or thrust it outward to the extent of its movement in suchdirection, which is limited by contact with the cross-pin of the shoul-.

ders formed by the walls of the slots d at their inner ends. Inwardmovement of the follower when its spring yields to pressure upon thefollower-head is limited by contact with the cross-pin of the shouldersformed by the walls of the slots 01 at their outer ends.

The receiver, the section formed with the crimping projections, and thefollower are preferably made of suitable steel, so as to resist wear tothe maximum extent.

In operation, the crimping-head being mounted in a lathe-chuck orproperly supported by any suitable actuating mechanism so as to berotated and appropriate means being provided for supporting loadedshells so as to be acted upon by the crimping-head, it will beunderstood that when a shells end is inserted into the receiver of therotating crimping-head and pressed against the crimping projections tocrimp it while the follower bears against the shot-wad that por tion ofthe shell which is doubled or crimped will snugly fit or fill the spacebetween the receiver and follower and is properly supported, while bypositively arresting the illward movement of the follower at about thetime that a perfect crimp has been formed, at which time the stopprovided by the walls of the follower-slots comes in contact with theconnecting-pin, further movement of the shell into the receiver isprevented and it becomes impossible to continue the crimping action uponthe shell to an injurious extent. As the crimping projections graduallywear way, (they wear much more rapidly than the receiver wears where itcomes in contact with the shells,) the shells are allowed to projectfarther and farther into the receiver, thus being brought into contactwith and supported by new or unworn portions of the receiver and snuglyembraced. The inner section of the crimping-head may quickly beseparated from other parts and again readily connected with them afterreshaping the crimping projections, this inner section becominggradually shorter as wear progresses and it is filed away in reshapingthe projections, and the distance the shells are allowed to project intothe receiver correspondingly increasing until the inner section has beenentirely used up, after which a new inner section may be employed withthe same receiver the wear upon which is obviously slight as comparedwith that upon the crimping projections, as the surface of the receiverwhich is subjected to wear by the shells is much greater than thewearing-surfaces of the crimping projections and is being repeatedlyadded to in use. Thus new inner sections may be successively employedindefinitely, or until appreciable and injurious wear of the receivermay result from long use. As the crimping projections are worn away andthe inner section of the crimping-head shortened, while the distance theshells enter into the receiver is correspondingly increased, the slotsin the follower are properly lengthened by filing away their walls atthe outer ends, so that the inward movement of shells in crimping willnot be arrested until at the proper time to prevent injurious crimpingaction. The follower being connected with the receiver, and innersection of the crimping head by the detachable connecting-pin mayreadily be removed and replaced.

lVhen the receiver and the section provided with crimping projectionsare made reversible, to adapt them to be turned end for end, so as tooperate at either end, (I prefer to so construct them, although thisfeature of re versibility may be omitted in one or both parts,) it willbe seen that after injurious wear takes place at one end of the partsthey may quickly be reversed and used without the delay of reshaping orrenewing the projections.

My improved crimping-head may be modified in various respects, and stillretain important features of my invention. Among modifications which mayreadily be made are the following:

Instead of the long or through-pin C for connecting the parts, there mayobviously be provided a shorter connecting-pin having a nicked or screwhead and a thread for a portion of its length adjacent to its head toengage a thread in the hole a, which may be formed through one side onlyof the receiver. The unthreaded portion of this form of connecting-pinwould pass through the hole 5, which may be formed in one side only ofthe section having the crimping projections, and through one of theslots (Z (the other slot might be omitted) in the follower and extendacross or far enough into the follower to serve as a bearing for one endof its spring.

By the employment of the reversible inner section it is obvious that itsprojections at one end maybe shaped to form what is termed a squarecrimp and those at the other end adapted to form a so-called roundcrimp.

The actuating mechanisn shown by the drawings is adapted to be clampedat the base E of its frame to a bench or table in suitable way, and isprovided with a socket or fixed holder F for the bases of the shells tobe crimped. A standard G of the frame serves as a support and guide-wayfor a carrier H in a bearing in which the crimping-head is mounted torotate, and which is movable up and down this standard. The framestandard projects upwardly from the frame-base in rear of theshell-holder, and is suitably embraced by the rearwardly-projectingportion or horizontal arm of the carrier, so that up-and-down movementmay be imparted to the carrier, the bearing in which for thecrimping-head is over the shell-holder F, provided in the base of theframe. The outer section or receiver of the crimping-head is providedwith an annular groove it, (two such grooves are provided when thereceiver is of the preferred reversible construction, as shown,) intowhich projects the unthreaded end of a screw J, passing through one sideof the bearing in the carrier, for properly engaging the crimping-headwith this bearing, while leaving the head free to rotate. In accordancewith the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the crimping-head isrotated in its bearing in the carrier by means of a crank-handle K,rotating horizontally and fastened to the stud or boss k of a cap orcollar L, secured to one end of the receiver of the crimping-head by ascrew M, which projects through one side of the cap and engages a holein the receiver. As shown in Fig. 2, instead of rotating thecrimping-head directly by a crank gearing intermediate the crank andcrimping-head is employed, an d the crank rotates vertically or about ahorizontal axis, the crank being attached to a driving bevelgear N,which rotates about a stud provided at the side of the carrier bearingfor the crimping -head. This driving gear meshes with the driven gear 0,suitably secured to the receiver of the crimping-head. To move thecarrier H up and down, a pull-rod Pis attached at its upper end to thecarrier and eX- tends downwardly through the frame-base, which isprovided with openings 13 p, constituting bearings for the pull-rod toreciprocate in. These bearings maintain the pull-rod in an uprightposition and adapt it to assist in supporting the carrier againsthorizontal vibration or lateral movement about the frame standard, sothat the carrier and consequently the crimpingdiead is always kept inproper alignment with shells in the holder. A spring Q about thepull-rod and bearing at its opposite ends against the frame-base and thereciprocating carrier serves to yieldingly uphold the carrier and torestore it to its normal or most elevated position after being moveddownward. Upward movement of the pullrod is arrested at the proper timeby contact with the frame-base of its enlarged lower end or bent portionq. To move the carrier downward by its pull-rod and force thecrimpinghead into operative contact with the end of a shell to becrimped, suitable means for readily moving the pull-rod against theforce exerted byits spring are provided, so that either the hand or footof the operator may be used, as preferred, for the purpose. To move thecarrier downward by the foot, a chain R is shown as attached to the eyeformed at the lower end of the pull-rod, and a tubular footrest S,adapted to slide on the chain, provides for forming a stirrup at anydesired distance below the pull-rod. The chain is looped, with thefoot-rest supported at the bottom of the loop, the free end of the chainbeing linked to that portion of it above the foot-rest at any desiredpoint, as will readily be understood. To operate the pull-rod by hand, alever T, having jointed connection at one end with the under side of theframe-base, provided with a handle at its opposite end, and passingthrough the eye of the pull-rod, may be employed, as plainly shown byFig. 1.

The operation of the above-described actuating mechanism will beapparent without further explanation.

I claim as my invention 1. The sectional crimping head having the outersection or shell-receiver, and the inner section detachably secured tosaid receiver and formed with end crimping projections, substantially asset forth.

2. In a cartridge crimping head the reversible receiver flared at bothends to adapt it for adjustment to receive the shells at either end, incombination with suitable crimping projections, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination of the outer section or receiver of the crimpinghead, and the reversible inner section detachably secured to saidreceiver and formed with crimping projections at its opposite ends,substantially as set forth.

l. The combination of the outer section or receiver of the crimping headflared at both ends to adapt it to receive the shells at either end, andthe inner section formed with crimpin g projections at both ends,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the outer section or receiver of the crimpinghead, the inner section detachably connected with said receiver andhaving end crimping projections formed integral with it, and thedetachably connected sprin g-actu ated follower movable within saidinner section, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of the outer section or receiver of the crimpinghead, the inner section formed with the end projections, the slottedspring-actuated follower, and the pin engaging the slotted portion ofthe follower and detachably connecting the parts, substantially as setforth.

7. The combination of the frame provided with the shell holder andhaving the upwardly projecting standard, the carrier movable up and downsaid standard, the pull-rod connected to the carrier and extendingthrough the frame base, means for actuating the pullrod to move thecarrier downwardly, the spring for elevating and yieldingly upholdingthe carrier, the crimping head supported by the carrier, and means forrotating the crimping head, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the frame provided with the upwardly projectingstandard, the carrier movable up and down said standard, means foractuating the carrier, the crimping head mounted to rotate in thecarrier, the driven gear on the crimping head, and the driving gear onthe carrier, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the frame provided with the upwardly projectingstandard and having the shell holder, the carrier movable up and downsaid standard above the shell holder, the stirrup or foot rest havingpendent connection with the carrier and serving as a means by which toexert a direct downward strain upon the carrier to move it toward theshell holder, means for elevating and yieldingly upholding the carrier,the. crimping head mounted to rotate in the carrier, and meansforrotating the crimping head, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VM. \VAGNER.

lVitnesses:

J. I. 'PEYTON, JOHN B. PEYTON.

